Sex abuse charges filed against Valdez man

Valdez police have arrested a 45-year-old man who is accused of four counts of first degree sexual of a minor and one count in the second degree.

Douglas Evans was being held in Valdez jail without bail since Sunday after the victim revealed to a third party she had been abused by Evans; the third party contacted police Friday, Feb. 21.

Police allege the abuse was ongoing for three years.

“The victim disclosed that she had been sexually assaulted multiple times over the span of several years,” a police press release said. “Statements made by witnesses corroborate those of the victim.”

Evans was arrested Sunday after police gathered evidence in the preceding days from the victim’s home and obtained a “glass warrant” to monitor a 40-minute phone conversation between Evans and the victim’s mother.

Charging documents state that during the monitored conversation Evans did not deny the accusations but stated “he could not talk about the case.”

This occurred “dozens of times during the call,” police said.

Police say in the court papers that Officer Aaron Baczuk, who led the investigation, interviewed several school district employees who had reported suspicious behavior between the victim and Douglas to school district counselors.

Confidentiality laws governing student privacy prevent school officials from divulging specific details in the case. State law requires school officials to report suspected abuse to the proper state authorities.

“The Valdez Police Department considers this an ongoing investigation and expects further charges to be filed,” a press release issued Monday by Valdez police said.